On Saturday 8th August 2015, Colombian warship, ARC 7 de Agosto, arrived in the Gulf of Aden to start her counter-piracy operations in close collaboration with Operation Atalanta. Commanded by Captain Darwin Alberto Alonso Torres, ARC 7 de Agosto has a Spanish Navy liaison team on board to help co-ordinate the day to day operations with the EU Naval Force flagship, ESPS Galicia.

he Colombian warship will work together with the EU Naval Force in escorting and protecting World Food Programme (WFP) vessels and vulnerable shipping along the Somali coastline and also help to deter and disrupt any acts of piracy in the Gulf of Aden. Over the past three years security for vessels and their crews off the coast of Somalia has significantly improved, with no merchant ship being pirated since May 2012.

Built by Colombian shipyard Cotecmar, ARC 7 de Agosto is a large offshore patrol vessel based on the German design of the Fassmer OVP 80,

The Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Colombiana: FAC) has taken delivery of four new Northrop Grumman AN/TPS-78 3D long-range radars, FAC commander Major General Carlos Bueno Vargas announced on 20 August during a visit to the No 2 Air Combat Command in Apiay.

The FAC ordered the mobile radars through a USD114 million contract signed in November 2012 and intends to deploy them as part of its new National Air Defence System (SISDAN: Sistema de Defensa Aérea Nacional), replacing the ageing AN/TPS-70 radars in service since 1990.

According to Maj Gen Bueno Vargas, the new radars will be used to provide air surveillance, mainly in support of Colombia's ongoing fight against illegal flights carrying narcotics, but will also be available to improve civilian air traffic control, as they will interact with the current civilian radar network.

Textron Systems Marine and Land Systems is looking launch its Survivable Combat Tactical Vehicle (SCVT), possibly as early as 2016.

There are plans for Ukraine and possibly Colombia to become launch customers for the vehicle. The company told Shephard at AUSA in October that both countries had received sample vehicles.

The SCTV is a development of the ubiquitous but lightweight High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), well used by European and Middle East militaries, and has been redesigned from the ground up to enhance crew survivability and data-links.

The UAE has also been identified as a prospective customer but any deal has been described as ‘not as advanced’ as the other two, according to Textron officials.

Speaking to Shephard, Jonathan Dalrymple, VP business development at Marine and Land Systems, said the HMMWV was never designed with the survivability of a specific ambush and mine-resistant vehicle, given the roles it was expected to carry out.

A staged upgrade programme first sees the legacy HMMWV delivered to local contractors who then refurbish the vehicle and add to capsule protection and any procured components, before final assembly and delivery.

‘We will do [the modifications] in country. The model we are looking at deploying in the host country and not to do it in the US,’ said Dalrymple.

Thousands were purchased in the past by countries in the Middle East like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Some existing customers are operating in conflict zones and wars in Yemen and Syria.

The SCTV was not driven by former customers however, rather a former US special forces soldier who had seen the devastating effects IEDs and asymmetric warfare had on the thin-skinned four-wheeler.

Unlike the HMMWV, the SCTV has a monocock crew compartment, shaped sides and belly plate armour. The vehicle has been ‘stripped down to the frame’ in order to achieve these enhancements, which Dalrymple says make the SCTV more survivable than an MRAP.

Vehicle performance kits include a mobility, engine, cooling and braking packages. Safety enhancements will see roll-over crush protection added, the isolating of fuel cells from the crew compartment, fire-retardant insulation panels fitted, an external battery compartment, and an improved air conditioner.

The roof will support the weight and function of most gunner protection kits and weapon systems currently in use, according to Textron Systems.

A modular upgrade approach enables all 11-series HMMWVs and select 10- and 9-series vehicles compatibility with the five primary kit selections. Future developments could include using strong but lightweight materials to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle.

The VRC Cobra 4x4 light reconnaissance vehicle fully designed and developed by Colombian army.

At ExpoDefensa 2015, Maintenance battalion of the Colombian Armed Forces showcases its new light reconnaissance vehicle VRC Cobra (Vehiculo de Reconocimiento de Combate - Reconnaissance Combat Vehicle) especially dedicated to be used in extreme and all-terrain conditions.

The VRC Cobra is fully designed and developed by engineers of the Colombian Armed Forces. Currently 6 prototypes are available and the vehicle is in evaluation phase. The VRC-Cobra is a three-man off-road which can be used for many long-range desert operations including patrol border, artillery observation, anti-tank , combat search and rescue missions.

The VRC Cobra reconnaissance vehicle utilizes a modified construction frame like those found in base off-road race cars.

The vehicle can be armed with a variety of mission-specific weaponry including the heavy machine Browning 12.7mm caliber, a 40mm automatic grenade launcher and the M60 .30 caliber general purpose machine gun. Ammunition stores are mission dependent. Additionally, and personal weapons carried by the crew become part of the lethality that is the . Total payload of the VRC Cobra is around 650 kg.

At ExpoDefensa 2015, the VRC Cobra was presented with a full range of armament including one M60 7.62mm machine gun mounted at the front of the vehicle, one 40mm automatic grenade launcher mounted on circular ring located in the center of the vehicle.

The vehicle was also fitted with one Spike anti-tank missile launcher and one 12.7mm machine gun on swivel station at the rear of the vehicle which can be used as anti-aircraft weapon.

The VRC Cobra can be configured to be used in a rescue role to provide a soft ride for injured persons extracted from rough terrain. It can be easily adapted to carry 6 military personnel at the rear of the vehicle or as command post with a tubular frame roll-bar protection.

GDELS is offering ASCOD armoured personnel carrier to the Army of ColombiaFeb 3, 2016

General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has offered the armored vehicle in its version Ascod APC (personnel carrier) to the Army of Colombia in the process of renewal of its armored park has launched the Latin American country.

The offer of the interest that has the Colombian Army to expand its fleet of crawler traction, currently consisting solely of 54 units of FMC-BAE M-113 A1/A2 locally designated as TPM-113 (transporte de personal militar) , with more than 40 successful years of service in this nation.

The Ascod light tracked armoured personnel carrier, manufactured by the European General Dynamics European Land Systems, are presented as ideal models to complement the existing fleet of M-113 Colombians.

The ASCOD can run at a maximum road speed of of 70 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 500 km. It can negotiate gradients up to 60%, side slope of 30%, fording depth of 1.2m without preparation, and have a turning radius of 9.5m. ASCOD can climb a vertical obstacle up to 0.75 and cross a trench of 2m maximum.

The APC variant of the new ASCOD is fitted with a Rafael dual-axis, gyro-stabilized Remote Weapon Station (RWS) mounted at the top front right of the troops compartment which is armed with a 12,7mm machine gun.

Israeli electro-optics house CONTROP Precision Technologies has revealed the supply of iSea maritime electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera payloads for integration on locally-manufactured remote weapon stations being introduced to service with the Colombian Navy.

According to a statement released by the company on 22 March, iSea-20 maritime EO/IR payloads have been integrated with the T-12 remote weapon station (fitted with a .50 cal heavy machine gun), while iSea-30 turrets are equipping T-25 25 mm remote mountings. Both the T-12 and T-25 weapon stations are manufactured by Medellin-based machining group THOR S.A.S, which is also CONTROP's representative in Colombia.

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that the Colombian Air Force (COLAF) had accepted their seventh Huey II Kit – continuing to improve their fleet performance and mission readiness.

The delivery of the Huey II Kit is a part of an ongoing upgrade program designed to revitalize the Colombian Air Force’s UH-1H fleet. The upgrade allows for multiple configurations and increased overall mission capability.

In addition to improved aircraft performance, the Huey II upgrade program has allowed for increased capabilities of COLAF maintenance personnel. COLAF’s ability to work directly with Bell Helicopter’s onsite support throughout the initial conversion process has allowed maintenance personnel to develop a broader understanding of the Huey II structural and maintenance differences from the UH-1H.

“The program began with an onsite full-time Bell Helicopter technical representative supporting the in-country upgrade program for the initial Huey II conversion,” added Poindexter. “Following the initial upgrade, COLAF has been completing all conversions. The program overall allows for the increased fleet longevity and better cost oversight and forecasting.”

Bell Helicopter provides its customers with local support in every corner of the world and has the largest support network in the industry with more than 100 Authorized Customer Service Facilities in 34 countries. Ranked number one in customer support by Professional Pilot magazine for 22 consecutive years, Bell Helicopter is committed to having resources where customers operate to speed up delivery of service and support, and give customers access to service professionals that are easy to reach, know the operating environment and understand their needs.

Textron has won $65 million contract to provide variants of Commando Select Armored Personnel Carriers to Iraq and Columbia.

Textron has to provide 54 Commando Select APCs each along with 40/50 turret; four Commando Select APCs with 40/50 turret and command and control variant and two each Commando Select APCs to Iraq and Columbia, the Pentagon said in a statement Tuesday.

One bid was solicited with one received.

Work will be performed in Slidell, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of April 4, 2016. Other procurement funds in the amount of $65,948,115 were obligated at the time of the award.

However, the army wants increased capacity to carry small cargo and small numbers of troops between bases. One option analysed is to buy more Casa C-212s, but the service is also studying the Dornier 228, among other types, the sources said.

COTECMAR handed over the ships, named ARC Golfo de Morrosquillo and ARC Bahía Málaga , in a ceremony attended by Deputy Defence Minister Mariana Martinez Cuellar and the president of COTECMAR, Rear Admiral Jorge Enrique Carreño Moreno. Two LPR-40 MK-II river patrol boats were also launched during the ceremony.

COTECMAR has already constructed and delivered two similar landing ships for the navy: ARC Golfo de Tribugá in 2014 and ARC Golfo de Urabá in 2015.

The Colombian Navy (ARC) recently launched two new landing craft in the presence of Mariana Martínez Cuellar, Vice Minister of Defence for Strategy and Planning.

These two boats were built in the shipyard of the Corporation of Science and Technology for Development of the Naval, Maritime and Fluvial (Cotecmar) Industry and mark a milestone in the company, because for the first time in history built two ships simultaneously .

The ARC GOLFO DE MORROSQUILLO (pennant number 242) and ARC BAHIA MALAGA (243) are designated as BDA (Amphibious Landing Barges) and are intended for amphibious operations in remote locations.

These vessels, designed and built by Colombian hands, have the ability to conduct operations in riverine and coastal areas, providing support to the missions of disaster relief and logistical support to diverse populations, especially those with difficult approach and to land bases of the Navy, to transport troops and cargo among othersDefence-blog.com

One of World's Longest-Running Wars to End With Colombia-FARC Peace Deal

The Colombian government and FARC rebels have officially reached an historic peace deal, bringing an end to a 50-year war. The accord, announced in Havana, Cuba, on Wednesday, requires the Colombian government to carry out substantive land reform and overhaul its drug trafficking policies. It also requires Bogota to expand state services into rural sections of the country.

There is no room for winners or losers when you achieve peace through negotiations," FARC negotiator Rodrigo Granda tweeted. "Colombia wins, death loses." The agreement must be approved by voters in a plebiscite before it can take effect. A vote is expected to take place in October. Negotiations were finalized on Tuesday. FARC is one of the world’s oldest Marxist insurgencies, formed in 1964 when it launched a war to overthrow the government of Colombia and install a revolutionary regime. Since fighting began, over 220,000 people have been killed, and another 5 million forced to abandon their homes. 406 ... 190